Germany cuts long-term strike-drone procurement plan to €2B, draft shows

By Markus Wacket

Budget Cut and Procurement Details

BERLIN, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Germany's ruling coalition will slash the size of a longer-term framework deal to purchase strike drones to 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) from 4.3 billion euros previously envisioned as lawmakers seek tighter control over future budgets.

Confirmed €536M Order

Framework Reduced from €4.3B to €2B

A proposal written by lawmakers with budget responsibility from the governing parties, which was made available to Reuters, confirmed an order for strike drones worth 536 million euros ($638 million) from German startups Helsing and Stark Defence, but stressed that follow-up contracts surpassing 2 billion in total will require fresh parliamentary clearance.

Parliamentary Oversight Rationale

"Without parliamentary control, there would be a risk of billions in de facto budget commitments over a long period of time," the document said.

Loitering Munitions Explained

The contracts for loitering munitions - drones loaded with explosives that hover over a potential strike area before swooping - are part of a rearmament push after Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Reuters this month reported that the contracts and the longer-term procurement framework were outlined in finance ministry documents. 

Initial Deployment: Lithuania-Based Brigade

The drones are initially intended to support Germany's Lithuania-based 45th Tank Brigade.

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(Writing by Ludwig BurgerEditing by Madeline Chambers)